Festival parade goes on despite Saturday morning downpour

The Lansing DAZE parade started on time, 10 a.m. Saturday, despite pouring rain and a few floats that couldn't make it.

Handfuls of people lined First Terrace to watch the participants, many of whom lacked shelter from the relentless precipitation. The parade began at Lansing Middle School and continued down Ida Street, crossing Main Street. The parade continued down East Kansas Avenue turning south on Second Street, then west on Olive Street. It ended at the Lansing DAZE festival along First Terrace.

Gene Young, grand marshal of the parade said that although some floats didn't show up because of the rain, "I think it was a pretty good percentage for the conditions."

Young rode in the parade in an Air Force recruiting pickup with Jim Langley, who was dressed as Elvis.

Five awards were given to parade participants. Chad Lough won Best Performance Award for driving an ATV and doing wheelies with a large Mr. Peanut strapped to his back. The Spirit of Lansing contest participants were awarded the Judge's Choice award, for their bumblebee-yellow truck sporting a sign that read "SPIRIT OF LANSING CONTESTANTS THINK LANSING IS THE PLACE TO BEE."

Boy Scouts Pack 3165 were given the Most Patriotic Award for their truck that featured an American flag and a Boy Scout flag.

The Most Creative Award was handed to the Lansing Lions Club, whose float featured a lion mascot in an open-bed truck.